2021
A Test of Faith
September 2021


“A Test of Faith,” For the Strength of Youth, Sept. 2021, 18–19.

Come, Follow Me

A Test of Faith

Doctrine and Covenants 103–105

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mobs burning homes

1833. Jackson County, Missouri, USA. Mobs forced the Saints living there to leave their homes.

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Joseph Smith praying

Joseph Smith wondered what to do. Soon a revelation came. Joseph was told to recruit men to travel to Missouri and help the Saints regain their homes.

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people traveling

Joseph left for Missouri with a group of volunteers. The group later became known as Zion’s Camp.

The journey was hard at times, but many enjoyed it.

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man with gun by a river

After a month of marching, the camp stopped near a river.

They heard that men on the other side were waiting to attack them.

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men talking

What will we do?

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Joseph Smith

Stand still …

… and see the salvation of God.

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storm

Soon a storm came.

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men in storm

God is in this storm!

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men by overflowing river

The rain caused the river to rise so much that the camp’s enemies couldn’t cross it.

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men with rays of sunshine

After a few days, Joseph received a revelation that it was time to return home, even though they hadn’t helped the Missouri Saints return to their homes.

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Joseph Smith

The Lord has accepted our efforts.

We have been brought this far for a trial of our faith. (See Doctrine and Covenants 105:19.)

Some thought the journey was a failure.

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agitated man

We came all this way for nothing!

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agitated man

Why are we going home before helping the Saints here?

Most saw it as a privilege to be with the Prophet and to learn from him.

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men

Zion’s Camp helped prepare future leaders of the Church. Eight men who marched with Zion’s Camp were called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

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